An Armagh hairdresser has just returned from a dream visit to Paris Fashion Week, after securing a much sought-after ticket for one of the city’s haute couture shows.
Cheryl-Lee, who owns Bondi Hair & Co, was one of just 150 hairdressers from across the world to attend the Balmain Festival VOL 3.
Balmain is one of the leading, luxury fashion houses and the only one in the world to have its own hair couture line.
Cheryl-Lee, who is originally from Australia is in the unique position of owning the first full Balmain Hair Couture salon in Ireland.
The salon, which recently celebrated its first anniversary at its new, luxury premises at 6 Dobbin Street. Armagh, not only stocks all the latest Balmain products but is on top of all the latest styles and developments in the industry.
Once a year, Balmain offer their salons international training in the latest trends, products and techniques. This year it was in Barcelona while last year the location was Dubai.
Credits: Imaxtree
Cheryl-Lee is still buzzing after spending three days in what is considered to be the style and fashion capital of the world.
While there, she had classes from some of the best in the business, as well as learning about the latest trends and techniques – all of which she is excited to bring back to her own salon.
The Balmain festival took place at Stade Jean Bouin with over 12,000 friends of the fashion house in attendance and a special guest appearance from singer and actress Cher.
Credits: Imaxtree
Said Cheryl-Lee: “It was just amazing. We got to meet the education manager and the international team and we learnt about new products and the latest tips and techniques.”
Along with other salon representatives from across the globe, Cheryl-Lee was also treated to visits to Balmain stores and a lunch cruise and tour of sites along the River Seine.
Cheryl-Lee is passionate about the Balmain brand and prides herself on offering every client who comes into the salon a bespoke, luxury spa experience, with every appointment specifically tailored to the individual needs.
“We always carry out a consultation before we offer any colour service,” she said. “We look at the client’s skin tone, eye colour, everything right right down to the shape of their face.
“I always prescribe what is best for the client’s hair at that time. I believe education is really important when it comes to looking after your hair.
“When your hair is right, you feel right.”
As a top colour artisan and extension expert specialising in blondes, Cheryl-Lee has clients from as far away as Dublin, Belfast, Monaghan and Dundalk.
“We pride ourselves on treating customers like they’re our family. We want visiting the salon to be a relaxing, completely different experience, like going to a day spa but for your hair,” she said.
“We check the elasticity of your hair, the porosity of your hair and we always offer a supplementary, complimentary service.
“And after every colour, we give our clients a hair spa treatment to take home.”
A new Balmain Homme hair range has also just been launched and Cheryl-Lee is recruiting for a barber to join the salon as well.
Meanwhile, to celebrate one year at their new location in Armagh, Bondi Hair is giving one lucky client the chance to win a Christmas Package valued at over £500.
The package includes the following items:
*An exclusive one-on-one with Cheryl-Lee, top colour artisan, for a creative colour, cut and blowdry (valued at £180)
* Balmain Professional Blowdryer (valued at £150)
* Couleurs Couture Mask (valued at £45)
* Volume Shampoo & Volume Conditioner (valued at £71.25)
* Balmain Hair Couture Set (valued at £54)
All you have to do is visit the salon for any service to receive an entry ticket (there is no limit on the number of visits).
Draw will take place live on Facebook page.
Bondi Hair & Co can be contacted on 028 3724 0000 or via Facebook.</
